When the photographer on the trip of 1953 became ill,
Lowe was available to take on the role (although he had no previous experience), giving him some wonderful photographing opportunities. He was in the lead going
up for much of the climb, ensuring the possibility of the famous shots of
Hillary and Tenzing from a higher location and then looking up to take the photos
of that famous descent from the summit. Capturing those everyday moments where
opportunities presented themselves, George Lowe was the invisible man on the
trip, taking his place behind, rather than in front of the camera.

Having done the Base Camp trek last year, I can understand
the attraction that the region holds. The Khumba glacier, the glorious mountains
every which way, the enormity of it all. Walking through the rhododendrums,
many still in flower in May. The journey is the people, the views, the
experience is too precious to miss.

The final photo in the book is of great interest to me. The
Himalayan Trust was to be set up by George Lowe and Ed Hillary to support
Sherpa, after finding their guides and friends who had featured in the photo had
become ill and passed away, having not had access to medicine.
I always remember the endings and I felt the mood
change when we were reminded that these feats would not have been possible
without the Sherpa. There were murmurs of agreement from the audience.

Huw, you
held us in the palm of your hand right until the very end. What an adventure!